Annual Report 2010 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

74 HIGHLIGHt
RepoRt | SYSteMe RAIL VeHICLe FÜR SYSteMS
SCHIenenFAHRZeUGe
Booming
aftermarket in Asia
As expected, the large-volume orders received from Asia in recent years are
now beginning to trigger demand for servicing and spare parts in this growth
region. In 2010 Knorr-Bremse therefore continued to expand its aftermarket
capacity in China.
Rapid growth of the Chinese rail market started at least 10 years ago and continues
apace. With the support of the Chinese government, high-speed rail lines
have been planned and constructed, and many major cities have invested in
modern metro networks or expanded existing ones. At the same time the state
railway operator decided to invest in modern locomotives manufactured in the
West, and by the end of 2010 almost 3,500 locomotives equipped with Knorr-
Bremse systems were in operation, with a further 1,000 or more due for delivery
in 2011.
It is no coincidence that Knorr-Bremse was involved in many of these initial investments
and is now also benefiting from increased demand for aftermarket
services. The company has maintained contacts with China since the 1970s and
its first major project came in 1990, when it was contracted to equip 96 cars with
braking systems for Shanghai Metro. From that moment onwards, Knorr-Bremse
managed to steadily expand its business activities in China, culminating in last
year, when the company received the largest order in its 100-year history – a
contract worth some EUR 500 million to supply braking, door and HVAC systems
for the Chinese CRH3 high-speed train.